What is depression?

We all go through spells of feeling down in the dumps and gloomy, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. The ways in which depression can have an impact on us varies from person to person, but it is common to find that it interferes with our daily routines.

People who are depressed often find that they lack the motivation to do things such as household chores, hobbies, work, socialising, maintaining relationships and childcare related activities, as well as other activities. By avoiding effort, you experience relief, which leads to more avoidance. However this relief is only short term – in the long term it can make you feel worse and your mood becomes lower.

How can italk help you to overcome and manage symptoms of depression?

Fortunately there are a number of ways we can help you to overcome depression and low mood. These include:

Learning strategies that will enable you to become more active, re-establish routine and make a better use of your time.

Learning how to challenge unhelpful thinking and see things in a more balanced way.

Improving your problem solving abilities.

Learning to acknowledge and notice your good qualities and achievements.

These strategies are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT).

How long will I have to wait?

We aim to see all patients for an initial appointment within 28 days of contacting us.

Your practitioner will discuss your individual needs and agree a plan for your treatment. For most people this will be low intensity therapy – we call this Step 2. This type of treatment is delivered over the telephone in a short series of appointments (initial assessment followed by an average of five treatment sessions). Your practitioner will book you in for your first treatment at the end of your initial telephone assessment.

Some patients need treatment over a longer period of time, if this applies to you, your practitioner will add you to the waiting list in your local area for the Step 3 service. As these appointments are face to face there is usually a longer wait for treatment after your initial assessment. Whilst you are waiting you can access additional information and self-management tools in our Resource Centre, which may help you manage your condition. Treatment at this level usually lasts an average of 13 sessions.

Do I have to have a Telephone Assessment?

Most of our assessments are carried out over the telephone, however we can offer face to face assessments under certain circumstances eg you may be deaf/hard of hearing. Please let us know if you require a face to face assessment.

What happens at the assessment?

It will involve you completing some questionnaires, which are used to assess your level of depression or anxiety. Click here to view the questionnaires in the resources section.